chapter 3

Jace turned to the other side and covered himself properly. It was a silent indication for her to get lost.

"Master Jace, I might break my neck on that sofa. I won't do anything, I will sleep at the farthest end. I promise", she pleaded further.

" Don't bother me", the man on the bed responded nonchalantly.

Everyone had slept but Marvis was wide awake. She had to abandon her difficult life, to a more difficult one.

Having stayed awake half of the night, coupled with the cold and uncomfortable sofa, Marvis woke up late.

Jace was still lying on his bed. She couldn't say if he was asleep or awake.

"Good morning Master Jace", she greeted but there was no response. He either didn't hear her, maybe he was still sleeping, or pretended not to hear her as usual. She stretched herself and went into the bathroom.

She was done some minutes later.

" Master Jace, let me head downstairs for breakfast ".

" Mmm", he hummed a response to her surprise. She opened the door and went downstairs.

"Good morning Mother", she greeted his stepmother, Tessy.

" Morning my dear, how are you?", she asked smiling. Marvis was happy for the friendly welcome.

"I am fine mother", she replied.

Madam Esther gave orders to the junior servants and brought breakfast to the table. It was a simple meal of spaghetti with fried eggs. They had a glass of juice each to accompany the breakfast. Breakfast was set for five but it was just her and Tessy at the table. She got the answers to her unasked questions when she saw a young man descending the stairs. Close behind him were a young girl and a boy. Mrs Tessy had three kids. Anderson was the first. Kendra was next and Felix was the last and naughtiest.

"Good morning Mother", Anderson greeted

" Morning son. How was your night? I hope you slept well?", she asked nicely.

"Very well Mother", he answered and turned to Marvis. He smiled broadly at her and said,

" Hello. I'm Anderson. Nice to meet you", and stretched forth his hand for a handshake. The other two kids pretended not to notice her. Marvis could feel their death glare from a distance. She knew they didn't like her already. But she was happy for the warm welcome she had gotten from his mother and Anderson. She was sure she would enjoy her new home a bit.

Everyone observed good table manners and ate in silence. Anderson spoke up first.

"Marvis, how are you seeing your new home?"

" Well. I just arrived. I am yet to settle down fully. But I believe I will like it", she replied and smiled lightly.

"Mother, can I have some food to send up to Master Jace please?", she asked Mrs Tessy. Mrs Tessy froze momentarily and quickly covered up with a smile.

" You don't need to worry. The maids have already taken care of that "

"Alright Mother", she finished and went back to her food. Mother and son exchanged glances and said no word.

Marvis finished her breakfast and was going back upstairs. She needed to hurry so that she could meet her parents at home. She had to collect her balance of five hundred dollars. They had paid her part payment and were to complete it that day. She was almost at the door when she heard a low cry of pain from inside. It was low but she heard it. She opened the door and saw Jace in the bathroom. Again, there was food spewing on the floor. She rushed to the bathroom and saw that he had injured himself mistakenly. He had probably hit his head somewhere and blood dripped from the cut. He turned to walk out and he staggered. He nearly fell but for the timely intervention of Marvis. She quickly supported him. Jace felt his body stiffen.

" I am sorry", Marvis apologized and released him immediately. Jace said nothing. She handed him a tissue to clean off the blood. She didn't want to hurt his ego by helping him do that.

She left the bathroom and looked again at the food on the floor. It was not what they had that morning. It also seemed to have gone bad.

Does he always get little to eat? And why does he eat something less sumptuous and different from the other family members?

"Master Jace, do I get you something else to eat?", she asked in concern. When she didn't get a response from him, she decided to go and get him something regardless.

Jace sat on his bed in surprise. He didn't understand why Marvis cared for him when everyone else treated him with contempt. He knew for sure that even the servants had no regard for him now. He was somehow pleased with her.

Marvis got to the kitchen and met Madam Esther.

" Excuse me, please. Can I have some food for Master Jace please? ", she pleaded.

" Food has been sent to him", was the reply.

"Spoilt food!", Marvis yelled within.

" Yes. I mistakenly spilled it", she responded.

"Well, there is no more food", Madam Esther replied.

" What? Does your master always get little to eat? And are you saying he will have to go hungry this morning?", she questioned.

"Well, he always throws the food away. And we only give him little", Madam Esther hissed.

" But, what will he eat this morning? ", she asked again.

" I don't know miss ", madam Esther replied.

Marvis decided to go directly to Mrs Tessy. She was in her room, painting her nails when Marvis entered. Marvis explained everything to her and she could swear she noticed a change in the woman's facial expression. Before she could reply, there was a soft knock and Anderson came in.

" What is the matter? ", he asked.

" She said she mistakenly spilled Jace's food and Esther said there is no food left", Mrs Tessy explained.

"Well, let her make him something else", Anderson suggested.

" Oh yes. That should be the solution. Call me Esther", she said dismissing Marvis. Marvis who was bothered about the change in her facial expression as well as the bit of hostility from Esther decided to tread carefully. She went off and called Esther who followed her immediately.

"Yes ma", she answered as soon as she entered the room.

" You will make arrangements and give her some foodstuffs. She will be in charge of preparing his meals. That would be better", Mrs Tessy said and turned to Marvis.

"She will send the things to you. You may leave now"

"Thank you Mother", she answered and went out of the room.

"That girl is something else. She is going to be a threat to our plans. We must find a way to silence her" Mrs Tessy said.

"Give her more time, let's watch her more and we will know what to do with her", Anderson added.

What they did not know was that Marvis was behind the door, eavesdropping!